Dpp iv inhibitor formulations

ABSTRACT

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions of DPP IV inhibitors with an amino group, their preparation and their use to treat diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This Application claims priority of EP 06 009 201, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions of selected DPP IV inhibitors, their preparation and their use to treat selected medical conditions.

2. Description of the Prior Art

The enzyme DPP-IV (dipeptidyl peptidase IV) also known as CD26 is a serine protease known to lead to the cleavage of a dipeptide from the N-terminal end of a number of proteins having at their N-terminal end a prolin or alanin residue. Due to this property DPP-IV inhibitors interfere with the plasma level of bioactive peptides including the peptide GLP-1 and are considered to be promising drugs for the treatment of diabetes mellitus.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In attempts to prepare pharmaceutical compositions of selected DPP-IV inhibitors it has been observed, that the DPP-IV inhibitors with a primary or secondary amino group show incompatibilities, degradation problems, or extraction problems with a number of customary excipients such as microcrystalline cellulose, sodium starch glycolate, croscarmellose sodium, tartaric acid, citric acid, glucose, fructose, saccharose, lactose, maltodextrines. Though the compounds themselves are very stable, they react with many excipients used in solid dosage forms and with impurities of excipients, especially in tight contact provided in tablets and at high excipient/drug ratios. The amino group appears to react with reducing sugars and with other reactive carbonyl groups and with carboxylic acid functional groups formed for example at the surface of microcrystalline cellulose by oxidation. These unforeseen difficulties are primarily observed in low dosage ranges which are required due to the surprising potency of the selected inhibitors. Thus, pharmaceutical compositions are required so solve these technical problems associated with the unexpected potency of selected DPP-IV inhibitor compounds.

A pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention is intended for the treatment of to achieve glycemic control in a type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus patient and comprises a DPP-IV inhibitor with an amino group, especially a free or primary amino group, as an active ingredient, a first and second diluent, a binder, a disintegrant and a lubricant. An additional disintegrant and an additional glidant are a further option. Additionally the compositions can be used to treat rheumatoid arthritis, obesity and osteoporosis as well as to support allograft transplantation.

Diluents suitable for a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention are cellulose powder, dibasic calciumphosphate anhydrous, dibasic calciumphosphate dihydrate, erythritol, low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, mannitol, pregelatinized starch or xylitol. Among those diluents mannitol and pregelatinized starch are preferred.

Diluents preferred as the second diluent are the above mentioned diluents pre-gelatinized starch and low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose (L-HPC) which show additional binder properties.

Lubricants suitable for a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention are talc, polyethyleneglycol, calcium behenate, calcium stearate, hydrogenated castor oil or magnesium stearate. The preferred lubricant is magnesium stearate.

Binders suitable for a pharmaceutical composition according to the invention are copovidone (copolymerisates of vinylpyrrolidon with other vinylderivates), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), polyvinylpyrrolidon (povidone), pregelatinized starch, low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose (L-HPC), copovidone and pregelatinized starch being preferred.

The above mentioned binders pregelatinized starch and L-HPC show additional diluent and disintegrant properties and can also be used as the second diluent or the disintegrant.

Disintegrants suitable for a pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention are corn starch, crospovidone, low-substituted hydroxypropylcellulose (L-HPC) or pregelatinized starch, corn starch being preferred.

As an optional glidant colloidal silicon dioxide can be used.

An exemplary composition according to the present invention comprises the diluent mannitol, pregelatinized starch as a diluent with additional binder properties, the binder copovidone, the disintegrant corn starch, and magnesium stearate as the lubricant.

Dosage forms prepared with a pharmaceutical compositions according to the present invention contain active ingredients in dosage ranges of 0.1-100 mg. Preferred dosages are 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg and 10 mg.

Typical pharmaceutical compositions comprise (% by weight)

0.5-20%  active ingredient 40-88% diluent 1,  3-40% diluent 2, 1-5% binder,  5-15% disintegrant, and 0.1-4%   lubricant.

Preferred pharmaceutical compositions comprise (% by weight)

0.5-7%   active ingredient 50-75% diluent 1,  5-15% diluent 2, 2-4% binder,  8-12% disintegrant, and 0.5-2%   lubricant

The pharmaceutical compositions according to the invention are intended for oral use and can be used in the dosage form of a capsule, a tablet or a film-coated tablet. Typically the film coat represents 2-4%, preferably 3% of the composition and comprises a film-forming agent, a plasticizer, a glidant and optionally one or more pigments. An exemplary coat composition may comprise hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose (HPMC), polyethylene glycol (PEG), talc, titanium dioxide and optionally iron oxide.

Preferred active ingredients in the context of the present invention are DPP-IV inhibitors with a primary amino group and salts thereof such as any DPP-IV inhibitor and salt thereof defined by formula (I)

or formula (II)

wherein R1 is ([1,5]naphthyridin-2-yl)methyl, (quinazolin-2-yl)methyl], (quinoxalin-6-yl)methyl, (4-Methyl-quinazolin-2-yl)methyl, 2-Cyano-benzyl, (3-Cyano-quinolin-2-yl)methyl, (3-Cyano-pyridin-2-yl)methyl, (4-Methyl-pyrimidin-2-yl)methyl, or (4,6-Dimethyl-pyrimidin-2-yl)methyl, and R2 is 3-(R)-amino-piperidin-1-yl, (2-amino-2-methyl-propyl)-methylamino or (2-(S)-amino-propyl)-methylamino.

Preferred DPP IV inhibitor compounds are the following compounds and salts thereof:

-   -   1-[(4-methyl-quinazolin-2-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-7-(2-butyn-1-yl)-8-(3-(R)-amino-piperidin-1-yl)-xanthine         (compare WO 2004/018468, example 2(142):

-   -   1-[([1,5]naphthyridin-2-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-7-(2-butyn-1-yl)-8-((R)-3-amino-piperidin-1-yl)-xanthine         (compare WO 2004/018468, example 2(252)):

-   -   1-[(Quinazolin-2-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-7-(2-butyn-1-yl)-8-((R)-3-amino-piperidin-1-yl)-xanthine         (compare WO 2004/018468, example 2(80)):

-   -   2-((R)-3-Amino-piperidin-1-yl)-3-(but-2-yinyl)-5-(4-methyl-quinazolin-2-ylmethyl)-3,5-dihydro-imidazo[4,5-d]pyridazin-4-one         (compare WO 2004/050658, example 136):

-   -   1-[(4-Methyl-quinazolin-2-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-7-(2-butyin-1-yl)-8-[(2-amino-2-methyl-propyl)-methylamino]-xanthine         (compare WO 2006/029769, example 2(1)):

-   -   1-[(3-Cyano-quinolin-2-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-7-(2-butyn-1-yl)-8-((R)-3-amino-piperidin-1-yl)-xanthine         (compare WO 2005/085246, example 1(30)):

-   -   1-(2-Cyano-benzyl)-3-methyl-7-(2-butyn-1-yl)-8-((R)-3-amino-piperidin-1-yl)-xanthine         (compare WO 2005/085246, example 1(39)):

-   -   1-[(4-Methyl-quinazolin-2-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-7-(2-butyn-1-yl)-8-[(S)-(2-amino-propyl)-methylamino]-xanthine         (compare WO 2006/029769, example 2(4)):

-   -   1-[(3-Cyano-pyridin-2-yl )methyl]-3-methyl-7-(2-butyn-1-yl         )-8-((R)-3-amino-piperidin-1-yl)-xanthine (compare WO         2005/085246, example 1(52)):

-   -   1-[(4-Methyl-pyrimidin-2-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-7-(2-butyn-1-yl)-8-((R)-3-amino-piperidin-1-yl)-xanthine         (compare WO 2005/085246, example 1(81)):

-   -   1-[(4,6-Dimethyl-pyrimidin-2-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-7-(2-butyn-1-yl)-8-((R)-3-amino-piperidin-1-yl)-xanthine         (compare WO 2005/085246, example 1(82)):

-   -   1-[(Quinoxalin-6-yl)methyl]-3-methyl-7-(2-butyn-1-yl)-8-((R)-3-amino-piperidin-1-yl)-xanthine         (compare WO 2005/085246, example 1(83)):

To prepare compositions according to the invention a granulate can be prepared by a wet granulation process. Alternative methods for granulation of active ingredient and excipients with a granulation liquid are fluid bed granulation or one-pot granulation.

In the wet granulation process the granulation liquid is a solvent such as water, ethanol, methanol, isopropanol, acetone, preferably purified water, and contains a binder such as copovidone. The solvent is a volatile component, which does not remain in the final product. The active ingredient and the other excipients with exception of the lubricant are premixed and granulated with the aqueous granulation liquid using a high shear granulator. The wet granulation step is followed by an optional wet sieving step, drying and dry sieving of the granules. For example a fluid bed dryer can then be used for drying.

The dried granules are sieved through an appropriate sieve. After addition of the other excipients with exception of the lubricant the mixture is blended in a suitable conventional blender such as a free fall blender followed by addition of the lubricant such as magnesium stearate and final blending in the blender.

Thus an exemplary wet granulation process for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition according to the present invention comprises

-   -   a. dissolving a binder such as copovidone in a solvent such as         purified water at ambient temperature to produce a granulation         liquid;     -   b. blending a DPP-IV inhibitor, a diluent, and a disintegrant in         a suitable mixer, to produce a pre-mix;     -   c. moistening the pre-mix with the granulation liquid and         subsequently granulating the moistened pre-mix for example in a         high shear mixer;     -   d. optionally sieving the granulated pre-mix through a sieve         with a mesh size of at least 1.0 mm and preferably 3 mm;     -   e. drying the granulate at about 40-75° C. and preferably         55-65° C. inlet air temperature for example in a fluid bed dryer         until the desired loss on drying value in the range of 1-5% is         obtained;     -   f. delumping the dried granulate for example by sieving through         a sieve with a mesh size of 0.6 mm-1.6 mm, preferably 1.0 mm;         and     -   g. adding preferably sieved lubricant to the granulate for final         blending for example in a cube mixer.

In an alternative process part of the exipients such as part of a disintegrant (e.g. corn starch) or a diluent (e.g. pregelatinized starch) or an additional disintegrant (crospovidone) can be added extragranular prior to final blending of step g.

In another alternative version of the process the granulate produced in steps a to e is produced in a one pot high shear granulation process and subsequent drying in a one pot granulator.

For the preparation of capsules the final blend is further filled into capsules.

For the preparation of tablets or tablet cores the final blend is further compressed into tablets of the target tablet core weight with appropriate size and crushing strength, using an appropriate tablet press.

For the preparation of film-coated tablets a coating suspension is prepared and the compressed tablet cores are coated with the coating suspension to a weight gain of about 2-4%, preferably about 3%, using a standard film coater. The film-coating solvent is a volatile component, which does not remain in the final product. To reduce the required amount of lubricant in the tablets it is an option to use an external lubrication system.

EXAMPLES Example 1 Formulation for Direct Compression

An active DPP IV inhibitor ingredient with a primary amino group and all other excipients with exception of magnesium stearate are blended in a high shear blender. This pre-mix is sieved through a 1 mm sieve. After addition of magnesium stearate the pre-mix is blended in a free fall blender to produce the final blend. The final blend is compressed into tablets using a suitable tablet press. The following compositions can be obtained:

Component mg/tablet %/tablet mg/tablet %/tablet Active ingredient 1.000 2.000 2.500 2.000 Mannitol 43.250 86.500 108.125 86.500 Pregelatinized starch 5.000 10.000 12.500 10.000 Magnesium stearate 0.750 1.500 1.875 1.500 Total 50.000 100.000 125.000 100.000

Component mg/tablet %/tablet mg/tablet %/tablet Active ingredient 5.000 2.000 10.000 2.000 Mannitol 216.250 86.500 432.500 86.500 Pregelatinized starch 25.000 10.000 50.000 10.000 Magnesium stearate 3.750 1.500 7.500 1.500 Total 250.000 100.000 500.000 100.000

Example 2 Alternative Formulation for Direct Compression

An active DPP IV inhibitor ingredient with a primary amino group and all other excipients with exception of magnesium stearate are blended in a high shear blender. This pre-mix is sieved through a 1 mm sieve. After addition of magnesium stearate the pre-mix is blended in a free fall blender to produce the final blend. The final blend is compressed into tablets using a suitable tablet press. The following compositions can be obtained:

Component mg/tablet %/tablet mg/tablet %/tablet Active ingredient 1.000 1.667 0.500 0.833 Dibasic 46.400 77.333 46.900 78.177 calciumphosphate, anhydrous Low-substituted 12.000 20.000 12.000 20.000 hydroxypropylcellulose Magnesium stearate 0.600 1.000 0.600 1.000 Total 60.000 100.000 60.000 100.000

Component mg/tablet %/tablet mg/tablet %/tablet Active ingredient 10.000 1.667 10.000 2.222 Dibasic 464.000 77.333 344.000 76.788 calciumphosphate, anhydrous Low-substituted 120.000 20.000 90.000 20.000 hydroxypropylcellulose Magnesium stearate 6.000 1.000 6.000 1.000 Total 600.000 100.000 450.000 100.000

Example 3 Tablet Formulation

Copovidone is dissolved in purified water at ambient temperature to produce a granulation liquid. An active DPP IV inhibitor ingredient with a primary amino group, mannitol and part of the pregelatinized starch are blended in a suitable mixer, to produce a pre-mix. The pre-mix is moistened with the granulation liquid and subsequently granulated. The moist granulate is optionally sieved through a sieve with a mesh size of 1.6-3.0 mm. The granulate is dried at 55 ° C. in a suitable dryer to a residual moisture content corresponding to 2-5% loss on drying. The dried granulate is sieved through a sieve with a mesh size of 1.0 mm. The granulate is blended with part of the pregelatinized starch in a suitable mixer. Magnesium stearate is added to this blend after passing through a 1.0 mm sieve for delumping. Subsequently the final blend is produced by final blending in a suitable mixer and compressed into tablets. The following tablet composition can be obtained:

Component mg/tablet %/tablet Active ingredient 10.000 1.667 Pregelatinized starch 210.000 35.000 Mannitol 236.000 39.333 Copovidone 18.000 3.000 Total (granulate) 474.000 79.000 Pregelatinized starch 120.000 20.000 Magnesium stearate 6.000 1.000 Total 600.000 100.000

Example 4 Coated Tablet Formulation

Copovidone is dissolved in purified water at ambient temperature to produce a granulation liquid. An active DPP IV inhibitor ingredient with a primary amino group, mannitol, pregelatinized starch and corn starch are blended in a suitable mixer to produce the pre-mix. The pre-mix is moistened with the granulation liquid and subsequently granulated using a high shear mixer. The moist granulate is optionally sieved through a sieve with a mesh size of 1.6-3.0 mm. The granulate is dried at about 60° C. in a fluid bed dryer until a loss on the drying value of 2-4% is obtained. The Final Blend is compressed into tablet cores.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, talc, titanium dioxide and iron oxide are suspended in purified water in a suitable mixer at ambient temperature to produce a coating suspension. The tablet cores are coated with the coating suspension to a weight gain of about 3% to produce film-coated tablets. The following tablet compositions can be obtained:

Component mg mg mg mg mg Active ingredient 0.500 1.000 2.500 5.000 10.000 Mannitol 67.450 66.950 65.450 130.900 125.900 Pregelatinized starch 9.000 9.000 9.000 18.000 18.000 Corn starch 9.000 9.000 9.000 18.000 18.000 Copovidone 2.700 2.700 2.700 5.400 5.400 Magnesium stearate 1.350 1.350 1.350 2.700 2.700 Total Mass 90.000 90.000 90.000 180.000 180.000 (tablet core) HPMC 1.500 1.500 1.500 2.500 2.500 PEG 0.150 0.150 0.150 0.250 0.250 Titanium dioxide 0.750 0.750 0.750 1.250 1.250 Talc 0.525 0.525 0.525 0.875 0.875 Iron oxide, yellow 0.075 0.075 0.075 0.125 0.125 Total Mass 93.000 93.000 93.000 185.000 185.000 (coated tablet)

Example 5 Tablet Formulation

Copovidone is dissolved in purified water at ambient temperature to produce a granulation liquid. An active DPP IV inhibitor ingredient with a primary amino group, mannitol and pregelatinized starch are blended in a suitable mixer to produce a pre-mix. The pre-mix is moistened with the granulation liquid and subsequently granulated. The moist granulate is optionally sieved through a suitable sieve. The granulate is dried at about 50° C. in a suitable dryer until a loss on drying value of 3-5% is obtained. The dried granulate is sieved through a sieve with a mesh size of 1.0 mm.

Magnesium stearate is passed through a 1.0 mm sieve and added to the granulate. Subsequently the final blend is produced by final blending in a suitable blender and the final blend is compressed into tablets. The following tablet compositions can be obtained:

Component mg mg mg mg mg Active ingredient 0.500 1.000 2.500 5.000 10.000 Mannitol 27.500 27.000 67.500 135.000 130.000 Pregelatinized starch 20.000 20.000 50.000 100.000 100.000 Copovidone 1.500 1.500 3.750 7.500 7.500 Magnesium stearate 0.500 0.500 1.250 2.500 2.500 Total tablet mass 50.000 50.000 125.000 250.000 250.000

Example 6 Tablet Formulation Variants

Copovidone is dissolved in purified water at ambient temperature to produce a granulation liquid. An active DPP IV inhibitor ingredient with a primary amino group and a part of mannitol, pregelatinized starch and corn starch are blended in a suitable mixer, to produce a pre-mix. The pre-mix is moistened with the granulation liquid and subsequently granulated. The moist granulate is sieved through a suitable sieve. The granulate is dried at about 60° C. inlet air temperature in a fluid bed dryer until a loss on drying value of 1-4% is obtained. The dried granulate is sieved through a sieve with a mesh size of 1.0 mm.

Magnesium stearate is passed through a sieve for delumping and added to the granulate. Additionally the remaining part of the exipients are added extragranular at this process step. Subsequently the final blend is produced by final blending in a suitable blender and compressed into tablet cores.

Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, polyethylene glycol, talc, titanium dioxide and iron oxide are suspended in purified water in a suitable mixer at ambient temperature to produce a coating suspension. The tablet cores are coated with the coating suspension to a weight gain of about 3% to produce film-coated tablets. The following formulation variants can be obtained:

Example 6.1 Formulation Variants with Extragranular Excipients

Formulation E Formulation F Component mg/Tablet %/Tablet mg/Tablet %/Tablet Active ingredient 1.000 1.111 1.000 1.111 Mannitol 23.300 25.889 66.950 74.389 Pregelatinized starch 4.500 5.000 4.500 5.000 Corn starch 4.500 5.000 4.500 5.000 Copovidone 1.350 1.500 2.700 3.000 Total (granulate) 34.650 38.500 79.650 88.500 Corn starch 4.500 5.000 4.500 5.000 Pregelatinized starch 4.500 5.000 4.500 5.000 Mannitol 45.000 50.000 Magnesium stearate 1.350 1.500 1.350 1.500 Total (tablet core) 90.000 100.000 90.000 100.000

Example 6.2 Formulation Variants with Additional Extragranular Disintegrant

Component mg mg mg mg mg Active ingredient 0.500 1.000 2.500 5.000 10.000 Mannitol 67.450 66.950 65.450 130.900 125.900 Pregelatinized starch 9.000 9.000 9.000 18.000 18.000 Corn starch 9.000 9.000 9.000 18.000 18.000 Copovidone 2.700 2.700 2.700 5.400 5.400 Total Mass 88.650 88.650 88.650 177.300 177.300 (granulate) Magnesium stearate 1.350 1.350 1.350 2.700 2.700 Crospovidone 2.000 2.000 2.000 4.000 4.000 Total Mass 92.000 92.000 92.000 184.000 184.000 (tablet core) HPMC 1.500 1.500 1.500 2.500 2.500 PEG 0.150 0.150 0.150 0.250 0.250 Titanium dioxide 0.750 0.750 0.750 1.250 1.250 Talc 0.525 0.525 0.525 0.875 0.875 Iron oxide, yellow 0.075 0.075 0.075 0.125 0.125 Total Mass 95.000 95.000 95.000 189.000 189.000 (coated tablet)

Example 6.3 High Dose Formulations D

mg/ Component tablet %/tablet mg/tablet %/tablet Active ingredient 25.000 27.778 50.000 27.778 Mannitol 40.700 45.222 81.400 45.222 Pregelatinized starch 9.000 10.000 18.000 10.000 Corn starch 9.000 10.000 18.000 10.000 Copovidone 2.700 3.000 5.400 3.000 Total (granulate) 86.400 96.000 172.800 96.000 Crospovidone 2.700 3.000 5.400 3.000 Magnesium stearate 0.900 1.000 1.800 1.000 Total (tablet core) 90.000 100.000 180.000 100.000 Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose 1.500 1.667 2.500 1.389 Polyethylene glycol 0.150 0.167 0.250 0.139 Titanium dioxide 0.750 0.833 1.250 0.694 Talcum 0.525 0.583 0.875 0.486 Iron oxide yellow 0.075 0.083 0.125 0.069 Total (film-coated tablet) 93.000 103.333 185.000 102.778 

1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising as an active ingredient a DPP IV inhibitor compound with an amino group or a salt thereof, a first diluent, a second diluent, a binder, a disintegrant and a lubricant.
 2. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the first and second diluents are independently cellulose powder, dibasic calciumphosphate anhydrous, dibasic calciumphosphate dihydrate, erythritol, low substituted hydroxypropyl cellulose, mannitol, pregelatinized starch, or xylitol,
 3. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the lubricant is talc, polyethyleneglycol, calcium behenate, calcium stearate, hydrogenated castor oil, or Magnesium stearate.
 4. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the binder is copovidone (copolymerisates of vinylpyrrolidon with other vinylderivates), hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC), hydroxypropylcellulose (HPC), or polyvinylpyrrolidon (Povidone).
 5. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the disintegrant is corn starch.
 6. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the first diluent is mannitol, the second diluent is pregelatinized starch, the binder is copovidone, the disintegrant is corn starch, and the lubricant is magnesium stearate.
 7. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 further comprising an additional disintegrant.
 8. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 7, wherein the additional disintegrant is crospovidone.
 9. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 further comprising a glidant.
 10. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 9, wherein the glidant is colloidal silicon dioxide.
 11. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 comprising 0.5-20%  active ingredient 40-88% diluent 1,  3-40% diluent 2, 1-5% binder,  5-15% disintegrant, and 0.1-4%   lubricant.


12. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1 comprising 0.5-7%   active ingredient 50-75% diluent 1,  5-15% diluent 2, 2-4% binder,  8-12% disintegrant, and 0.5-2%   lubricant


13. The pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 in the dosage form of a capsule, a tablet, or a film-coated tablet.
 14. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 13 comprising 2-4% film coat.
 15. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 1, wherein the film coat comprises a film-forming agent, a plasticizer, a glidant and optionally one or more pigments.
 16. The pharmaceutical composition of claim 15, wherein the film coat comprises hydroxypropylmethylcellulose (HPMC), polyethylene glycol (PEG), talc, titanium dioxide and iron oxide.
 17. A process for the preparation of a pharmaceutical composition according to claim 1 comprising a. dissolving a binder in a solvent to produce a granulation liquid; b. blending a DPP-IV inhibitor, a diluent, and a disintegrant to produce a pre-mix; c. moistening the pre-mix with the granulation liquid and subsequently granulating the moistened pre-mix; d. optionally sieving the granulated pre-mix through a sieve with a mesh size of at least 1.0 mm; e. drying the granulate at about 40-75° C. until the desired loss on drying value in the range of 1-5% is obtained; f. sieving the dried granulate through a sieve with a mesh size of at least 0.6 mm; g. adding lubricant to the granulate for final blending.
 18. The process according to claim 17 further comprising h. compressing the final blend into tablet cores; i. preparing a coating suspension; j. coating the tablet cores with the coating suspension to a weight gain of about 2-4% to produce film-coated tablets.
 19. The process according to claim 17, wherein part of the exipients are added extragranular prior to the final blending of step g.
 20. The process according to claim 17, wherein the granulate produced in steps a-e is produced in a one pot high shear granulation process and subsequent drying in a one pot granulator. 